Equipment
I am often asked about the equipment I use, specifically cameras. I like to travel as light as possible. In recent years I’ve shot with the highest resolution pro digital camera offered by Canon: a 1DS, 1DS Mk 2, and now 1DS Mk 3, a 21-megapixel brick of technology. The pro body is almost impervious to rain, snow, and dust, which is why I prefer it to the cheaper 5D Mk2, despite its HD video and low noise capabilities.
I limit myself to a few lenses most of the time, all Canon. More than half of my images are shot with either the 16-35f 2.8 Mk2 or the 70-200 f4, which is just as sharp as the much heavier and more expensive 2.8 version. If I need a more powerful telephoto, I reach for the 400 DO; if I know I’ll be shooting a lot of wildlife, the 500 f4 comes along. That’s it for 90% of my work.
I still need the usual complement of small, rugged La Cie drives and a Lenovo laptop optimized for photographers (review to follow). A few flashes and reflectors make their way into the kit as well.
Cameras are just tools, though. Cartier Bresson shot The Decisive Moment with a Leica rangefinder and a 50mm lens. It is the eye that matters, and the will to get off the couch and shoot.
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January 18th, 2009 at 01:11
Thanks for posting about the equipment your using.
Have you ever encounter any problems with the Airlines regarding your gear, size and weight as ‘carry-on’? I’m sure that your gear is carry-on.
Your right about and I quote “Cameras are just tools” ” It is the eye that matters, and the will to get off the couch and shoot”. Totally true!
January 18th, 2009 at 03:19
Nice… that’s not a lot. I always see other photographers with 3 bags of stuff. I don’t get that as I shoot with one bag.. I don’t own a 400 or 500 mm lens. I notice on travel to the edge your screen is glossy. The notebook I own is glossy and I don’t care for it for editing, I will use it for scrolling through images and tagging them… I prefer my large screen at home and its matte finish.
January 18th, 2009 at 20:12
It is soooo easy to say – oh I could take pictures like that if only I had better equipment – more lenses – that next better camera… You (Art) have 2 basic lenses and 2 long ones for wild life. That says a lot. It is so easy to get caught up in the technology and use it as a crutch for how to improve your images while it’s clearly not the issue at all.
January 18th, 2009 at 23:16
I’ve always been told to remove the camera body from the tripod but I’ve noticed that you often leave the two connected as you are clamoring over mountain streams, etc. Do you use a special sort of tripod or perhaps a heavy duty clamp? Thank you.
January 20th, 2009 at 10:53
Nice information! I always try to travel only with my back can hold! Sometimes is too hard to decide what will stay, but it always helps me in the action time (and I agree, cameras are just tools!).
January 20th, 2009 at 21:50
When I travel with the show, I have to check my gear. We are often on small planes or subject to weird rules. Airlines are a major pain. I carry on a much as I can, but a 500 lens takes up most of my space.
January 20th, 2009 at 22:41
I just wanted to express a big “thank you” for all your shooting tips online. For someone like me, who is self-taught, and likes to expand her horizon in the art of nature photography, these tips are of immense value. I do look at older photographs of mine and think “I wish I would have known”, but we all learn from our mistakes. Again, THANK YOU! I am looking forward to the tips of season 3.
January 21st, 2009 at 12:39
Have your gear been lost by an air company guys ever? Do you use hard cases to check in the photo equipment like pelican ones?
January 22nd, 2009 at 05:16
We use hard cases when we check equipment. No losses so far. I’ve even left an 800mm lens at the airport and got it back so luck has been with me.
January 22nd, 2009 at 17:40
I am watching your travels to the edge show right now and you are in Patagonia: Torres del Paine Park. In this show you talk about using the ND and Polarizing filters. You also talk about dropping down to the mud to get a shot of a mountain reflecting in the lake and taking a closer shot of a waterfall. I really appreciate these tips and was wondering if you could talk a little bit about the business side of your work. For example your fine art print sales and magazine covers etc.
January 22nd, 2009 at 22:14
I’ve been watching your Travel’s to the Edge show and I have a quick gear / style related question:
Why do you shoot off of a tripod so often? Given daylight lighting conditions and IS lenses it would seem that shooting off a tripod would be more trouble than it’s worth.
For low-light and/or longer exposures (waterfalls, etc), the tripod makes sense.
What am I missing?
January 23rd, 2009 at 05:25
I usually use the lowest ISO possible to get the lowest noise file. At ISO 100, I often need a tripod because my shutter speed is too slow to capture a sharp shot, at least if you want maximal sharpness. Longer lenses amplify shake and stopping down to get depth of field slows shutter speed. In short, it’s almost always an advantage to shoot from a tripod.
January 23rd, 2009 at 05:27
I cover these issues a little in the latest Outdoor Photographer and I’ll add more in the blog over time.
January 23rd, 2009 at 21:14
Thanks for sharing such interesting information.
A question about the 70-200 though. You say you use the “70-200 f4, which is just as sharp as the much heavier and more expensive 2.8 version” but almost all your images at Microsoft Icons – Travels to the Edge shot with a 70-200 were shot with the 2.8L IS. Did you recently switch from the f4 to the f2.8 or vice versa. If so I would be interested in your reasoning.
January 23rd, 2009 at 22:05
The f4 is a newer lens. When weight is at a premium, I use the f4.
January 24th, 2009 at 00:41
I’ve always wondered what you use while out on ‘the Edge’. Thank you! I was able to get a EOS 10D on ebay for an good deal. But the button is not working very well anymore. May I ask what you recommend so as to get that working or try and see if Canon would let me trade that in for a newer model? What do you do with your used camera equipment? I look forward to season 3 and the beautiful shots you take of all aspects of life and that of the abstract. Do you ever do much macro shooting?
January 24th, 2009 at 05:31
hi art.i am glad to see you blog.you did great work on Travels.to.the.Edge. i like to see that program. May i ask what kind of trippod you have been use on EDGE? it look like GITZO 2540 or other? i would like to know that tripod and tripod head’s model number.
January 24th, 2009 at 05:38
Hi, William,
You may not believe this, but I have no idea about model numbers. I use several Gitzos and I just walk in and buy a big carbon fiber. Same with the Arca ballheads. I just ask myself: is it tall enough and stable enough for a big lens? Is so, that’s all I pay attention to.
January 24th, 2009 at 05:42
Hi, Justin,
I send stuff to Canon to get it fixed as part of their program for professionals. When I am done with a camera, it is worth nothing, just a beaten husk suited for a future as a paperweight or landfill.
I love macro. It’s a challenge to isolate your subject with just the right depth of field. There is no rule of thumb. You get a feel over time, and with digital, you can experiment without burning money.
January 24th, 2009 at 08:27
you are one of my favorest photographer, i am so glad to speak to you.thanks for you replay my massage…i will choose one tripod as you say.
have a good weekend…..
January 24th, 2009 at 20:00
What a wonderful resource and service this is Art! Kudos on your new web site. I am a sailor here in Seattle and I have often thought that part of the draw to sailing is, contrary to other professional endeavors like baseball, ballet, etc, you can just show up on the course to get the opportunity to sail with/against gold-medal winning legends. This develops great skills as well as motivation. I see your blog doing the same thing for us lovers of photography!
I have a 1Ds MkII and as you know it is a heavy camera. I am using a Bogen ballhead and I need to step up to something more robust due to this weight issue. I was wondering if you could give me your recommendation as to which model Arca ballhead would be best?
I couldn’t help noticing you were using what I believe is a 5D something (?) in Patagonia. I am contemplating a 5D MII as a second body and would appreciate any feedback you could give me on this topic. The lenses I have are: EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS; EF24-105 f4L IS; EF17-40 F4L; and a 1.4 extender.
It’s very exciting to be able to have this conversation with you. Thank you for your time!
Tom Ringold
January 24th, 2009 at 21:54
Hi Art, I purchased a Singh-Ray Polarizer and graduated ND filter a few months ago. They do come in a nice leather pouch, but I am concerned about breakage putting them in my pack like that, especially the ND. Do you place yours in a hard case or how do you pack them?
January 25th, 2009 at 01:06
Hi Art, I just saw my first Travel’s to the Edge, Mongolia today. I thoroughly enjoyed the incredible scenery, the beautiful people and the enjoyment you were getting from interacting with them. I was wondering about the lenses you were using and what kind of filters you use, so your blog is a great find. I took photojournalism in college and am familiar with the Cartier Bresson quote. It’s so true, it’s not the equipment,but the eye. Any suggestions on how to cultivate seeing the decisive moment. It seems that being very familiar and comfortable with the equipment is necessary so that using it is second-nature and your attention is focused on seeing.
January 25th, 2009 at 01:40
just saw ‘travels to the edge’, iceland. UNBELIEVABLE shots, your narration was great too. thank you for a relaxing 30 minutes of sheer beauty.
January 25th, 2009 at 04:18
Hi Art, I am curious about the use of grad ND filters. I am a young photographer who hasn’t made a purchase of a ND filter yet, and i’m curious about what is the most practical to buy. Any suggestions?
January 25th, 2009 at 07:37
I put them in a pocket of my pack, on the inside. No breakage so far
January 25th, 2009 at 07:39
Making the equipment second nature is important, but you need to be able to anticipate what will happen next, or find a way to orchestrate it. I talk about lenses in a recent post, but it is the imagination that matters.
January 25th, 2009 at 07:40
Don’t scrimp. It’s self-defeating to put a cheap ND in front of good glass. A 2 stop is a good first grad.
January 25th, 2009 at 22:06
I like to know why you switch for nikon to canon.
January 26th, 2009 at 01:08
I had all my equipment stolen when I was shooting with Nikon. The Canon EOS system had faster autofocus at the time so I went that way. You can’t go wrong with either system.
January 26th, 2009 at 01:38
I have a 1Ds MkII and as you know it is a heavy camera. I am using a Bogen ballhead and I need to step up to something more robust due to this weight issue. I was wondering if you could give me your recommendation as to which model Arca ballhead, or other would be best?
Tom Ringold
January 26th, 2009 at 01:45
Many apologies if this comment is a repeat – my first waited moderation for more than a day, so am breaking it down into two messages. I couldn’t help noticing you were using what I believe is a 5D something (?) in Patagonia. I am contemplating a 5D MII as a second body and would appreciate any feedback you could give me on this topic. The lenses I have are: EF 100-400 f4.5-5.6L IS; EF24-105 f4L IS; EF17-40 F4L; and a 1.4 extender.
It’s very exciting to be able to have this conversation with you. Thank you for your time!
Tom Ringold
January 26th, 2009 at 02:29
Thank you for the information. I am another Canon advocate. What tripod or tripods do you use?
January 26th, 2009 at 03:31
Thank You
January 26th, 2009 at 03:52
I use the larger Arca, but the biggest Foba and Really Right Stuff ballheads, among others, can do the job. It’s a matter of personal taste and habit.
January 26th, 2009 at 03:54
I just answered that a couple days ago.
January 26th, 2009 at 03:57
That was a 1DS II in Patagonia.
The new 5D is great, but it is not as dust and moisture resistant as the 1DS models. If that isn’t an issue, it delivers the best files available from a Canon.
January 26th, 2009 at 03:58
I’ll check it out. Thanks.
January 27th, 2009 at 22:31
How much better is the 70-200 F4 compare to the 70-200 F2.8 images quality.
January 27th, 2009 at 22:41
They are about the same for sharpness. but the F4 is so much lighter I prefer it unless I need that last bit of speed or I need to really blur the background.
January 29th, 2009 at 02:29
I love your show!
I notice you use a grad ND filter but was wondering why you handhold it?
Thanks!
p.s. are your shows going to be on bluray dvds?
January 29th, 2009 at 02:38
Hi, Gordon,
I can work faster when I hold them. I don’t have to mess with a holder and I can reposition instantly.
We have no plans to come out with BluRay.
January 30th, 2009 at 00:04
Just wanted to say that I have found your photography, television show and website to be enjoyable and educational. And I appreciate your willingness to be interactive with those interested in your work and photography in general.
January 30th, 2009 at 00:09
Thanks, Ken. I’m glad folks appreciate the effort.
February 3rd, 2009 at 23:51
Hi Art,
Your work is awesome. For a landscape photographer, what benefit does the 16-35 F2.8 II provide over the 17-40 F4 which is half the price? You mentioned you prefer the 70-200 F4 over the 70-200 F2.8 because it is newer and not as heavy, but why do you prefer the F2.8 on the wide lens?
Your feedback is much appreciated!
February 4th, 2009 at 00:02
The 16-35 2.8 is very slightly sharper wide open but that difference closes as you stop down. The 16 vignettes a bit less, too. However, the17-40 is a tremendous value and in most situations, just as good.
February 5th, 2009 at 07:38
Thank you for taking the time and having the patients to make your show.
I was wondering what backpack it is you are using in the field?
February 5th, 2009 at 17:28
I’ve been using Lowepros for years. I use several different models/
February 7th, 2009 at 05:40
Do you use filters on your lenses? If so, what do you use? (Brand and type)
February 8th, 2009 at 20:11
Art when and why if ever do you use a tilt-shift? It might be interesting to learn more about your take on such specialized lenses. I’ve added the 24 and 90mm TS lenses to my limited lens collection for some special projects. Getting your take on this type of lens would be insightful.